WORK to rebuild one of Fermanagh’s most iconic structures began this week. Florence Court’s Summer House was destroyed by fire in August last year. But thanks to your generous donations and the Impartial Reporter’s campaign in association with the National Trust in Fermanagh, the important structure, with its heather clad walls and thatched roof, is expected to be back where it belongs this September.

Andrew Raffle, the man involved in the original Summer House project in 1993, made the journey from Warrington to Fermanagh on Friday last week to begin the first stage of the rebuild.

But speaking to the Impartial Reporter on Tuesday he revealed his quest to reinstate the much-loved 18th century replica was almost hampered before it had even begun.

“I almost wasn’t allowed on the boat over here,” he explained, “They looked at all of this equipment I was bringing over and were worried it might fall off the truck.

“But when I explained it was for the National Trust in Fermanagh they said: ‘Okay, on you go then!’.” According to Andrew, there has already been huge interest in his work to rebuild the Summer House this week.

“A lot of visitors have been coming up to talk to me and tell me how glad they are to see it coming back,” he said.

“I went to Tippler’s Inn the other night and got talking to a man down there. I told him what I was doing here and he said: ‘Well done’ and bought me a pint!

“People are actually commenting about how the Summer House is so much bigger this time round -- but it is an exact replica!

“I think once the roof is on it will feel more enclosed.

“I’m so glad the measurements were correct. With me not being onsite, I was having to trust my own judgement -- but it seems to have paid off.” Andrew will complete the first stage of the work by the end of this week and will return in September to thatch the roof.

“The two posts under the arch will be made of silverbirch which I harvested from my own garden,” he adds, “I like to use something from home in each of my projects to give it that personal touch.” The Summer House holds a particular significance for General Manager of Fermanagh’s National Trust properties, Jim Chestnutt.

He lived onsite at Florence Court with his family and recalls many special memories at the old Summer House.

“It is very heartening to see it going back up again,” he says, “We can start looking forwards rather than back.

“When the Summer House was burned down, understandably, people were angry. But when they heard that it was going to be reinstated, they were able to see a positive in all of this.

“In a way, if it hadn’t burned down, we wouldn’t have had the overwhelming public response that we did,” he added.

“And I wouldn’t have been back to see Fermanagh again!” quipped Andrew.

Donations towards the Impartial Reporter’s #RebuildOurSummerHouse campaign have amounted to around £5,000.

“We are just so delighted by the public response,” said Jim, “Just a few weeks ago a lady from Dungannon sent us a wee note and £500 to go towards the Summer House. The generosity of the public has been very touching.”